Crolla vs. Mathews is Finalized; McDonnell To Battle Pozo

ANTHONY CROLLA will head Hatton Promotions top class bill at Oldham Leisure Centre on Saturday April 21.

British lightweight champion Crolla (23-2) makes the second defence of his title against Derry Mathews (29-6-1) in a mouth-watering North-West clash.

Crolla, 25, became a Lonsdale belt holder when he stopped John Watson 12 months ago, and in his solitary defence outscored Willie Limond.

Hatton said: “Anthony is arguably the most improved fighter in Britain and moving towards world class rapidly.

“He is growing into the weight, maturing and the performance against Limond was one of the most dominant by a British champion last year.

“He won’t have it easy against Derry who always comes to fight and most probably knows this could be his final big chance.”

The show will also feature a British cruiserweight title eliminator between Blackpool’s Matt Askin (13-0) and Birtley’s Jon-Lewis Dickinson (9-2).

Hatton added: “I see Matt training at my gym and he is a real talent who will become British champion later this year.

“Provided he beats Dickinson I hope the British Boxing Board of Control make him mandatory contender to face the winner of the title fight between Shane McPhilbin and Enzo Maccarinelli.”

More fights will be added in the coming week and the event is set to be one of the best cards in the north-west in 2012.

Jamie McDonnell to face Ivan Pozo after Malik Bouziane's withdrawal

Jamie McDonnell will now defend his European bantamweight title against Spain's Ivan Pozo after the withdrawal of Malik Bouziane.

Despite the change in opponent, McDonnell's title defence, his fourth of the EBU belt, remains scheduled for March 3 at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre in Sheffield. Frenchman Bouziane is no longer available after withdrawing with an unspecified injury.

Pozo, ranked sixth by the EBU, is a former European flyweight champion and WBO title challenger but rarely fights outside of Spain. His record stands at 32-6-1.

Elsewhere on the Frank Maloney Promotions bill, Kent-based heavyweight Tom Dallas makes his ring return against Matt Skelton. Dallas hasn't fought since a knockout defeat to English heavyweight champion David Price but can establish himself back among Britain's elite with victory over Skelton.